Robo R2 3D Printer Review

The head-turning Robo R2 seems like a dream come true for home makers on a budget. With its supposed top-class printing speeds, large print area, and endless convenience features, this 3D printer seems too good to be true. With that in mind, today's Robo R2 review looks to uncover whether this printer lives up to its lofty claims.

Robo R2 3D Printer Review Basics

Despite being rather large, the Robo R2’s 16.7”x16.6”x23.7” enclosed frame looks great in almost any room and runs quietly enough to stay there. The printer’s large size aims to accommodate the roomy 8”x 8”x10” build space. Thanks to the enclosed frame, heated bed, and high-temperature nozzle, the Robo R2 3D printer is able to print dependably with almost any type of filament right out of the box.

With meager suggested print speeds of 16mm/s, the Robo R2 3D printer is not the speed demon it claims to be. Expect to use print speeds of <50mm/s. Travel speeds are better at 250mm/s, but this print is ultimately one of the slowest we’ve tested.

This is made better since the print quality and accuracy of this machine is on par or better than class rivals with print resolutions from 20-500microns. Smaller resolutions can suffer from minor layer shifting but otherwise this printer provides a smooth, clean finish.

Robo R2 Review Pros

Awesome Versatility

The Robo R2 is designed for both beginners and experienced users with its impressive versatility. Few other printers give you such a large, enclosed build space and so many filament options at such an extensive resolution range. The R2 can also be upgraded to use dual extruders for printing with two different materials or colors at once.

User Friendly Features

Robo has been trying to set the standard for user-friendly, plug-and-play design and in many ways succeeded. This 3D printer comes with all the bells and whistles that will make your friends jealous and your printing experience easier.

These features include an integrated camera so you can watch prints in real time via the iOS-only Robo phone app, a full-color 5” touchscreen display, auto-leveling, and filament run-out detection. That last feature is a lifesaver that stops the machine when filament runs out, preserving your unfinished model.

Robo R2 Review Cons

Quality Control and Dependability

Until now, it may seem like the Robo R2 is everything it promises to be. That’s true if you’re one of the lucky few who receive a problem-free unit. Unfortunately, the R2 suffers from QC issues where many (over half) users need to send their unit back for repair or replacement. Chances are, you WILL be calling Robo’s 24/7 support within the first couple days.

It’s not any one problem that seems to stick out, either. Users have problems with everything from gantry rods to the internal camera. Quality control is a real issue, and so is dependability, with similar problems creeping up on users mere weeks or months after they receive the unit.

Robo R2 3D Printer Review Verdict

With great specs and excellent print quality, the Robo R2 seems from a distance like an unbeatable bargain for its price. We’d love to wholly recommend it, too, but with quality control issues as they are, there are simply better ways to spend your money.

The Bibo2, for example, is half as expensive and twice as reliable with competitive build size and filament versatility. We wouldn’t blame you for rolling the dice on the Robo R2, though, as its modern conveniences are unmatched.